The current neurodiversity landscape is under strain, with rising demand and stretched resources, NHS commissioners are facing growing pressure to cut waiting lists and improve access to high-quality assessments and support. While Right to Choose has opened access, it has also contributed to a fragmented market, with variable quality, rising costs, and inconsistent care across providers.
At The Owl Centre, we believe there’s a more sustainable and strategic way to meet this need. Commissioning through NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) framework agreements allows for safe, accountable, and outcomes-focused procurement, giving commissioners the control to shape local provision without compromising on speed or patient choice.
Let’s be honest. Right to Choose has opened important doors for patients, but it has also reduced the ability of local systems to manage demand and quality, resulting in uneven levels of care and pricing that are difficult to regulate. Some ICBs, for example, have reported patients receiving assessments without follow-up support, or budgets being strained by sudden spikes in high-cost referrals. This isn’t good for patients and it’s not sustainable for the NHS.
Frameworks offer a clear and credible alternative. Every provider listed has already been through robust due diligence, inclusive of checks on clinical quality, safeguarding, financial health, data security, and more. Commissioners can therefore procure with confidence, knowing that providers meet NHS standards from day one.
Framework procurement also makes it quicker and simpler to get services up and running, especially with the new Provider Selection Regime in place. Commissioners have the flexibility to direct award when it makes sense or run a mini competition that reflects local needs. It’s a practical way to cut waiting times without cutting corners on accountability.
Framework commissioning gives the NHS a stronger hand in shaping the neurodiversity landscape. Clear expectations around cost, quality and outcomes help lift standards, control spending and focus investment where it delivers the most value.
Framework Commissioning Offers:
- Pre-approved, quality-assured providers
- Faster mobilisation under the Provider Selection Regime
- Transparent pricing and governance
- Flexibility to meet local needs via mini-competition or direct award
We know that commissioners are working hard to do more with less. Using established frameworks helps bring structure back into the market, reduce variation, and meet local neurodiversity needs safely and consistently.
There are no losers here. Patients benefit from faster access and better outcomes. Commissioners benefit from greater confidence, accountability, and value for money. And providers operate within a fair, quality-assured system where they can grow responsibly.
If you’re a commissioner looking for a safer, more strategic, and outcome-focused way to meet neurodiversity demand, we’d love to speak with you. As a proud NHS SBS framework provider, we’re here to help reduce waiting lists, support your goals, and deliver consistent, high-quality care.
Let’s work together to deliver consistent, safe, and timely neurodiversity support with fewer waits and better outcomes.
